Ok, I got my Polar Express tender and my Woodland Scenics dry rub decals, and I'm ready to begin transfering the lease from the Polar Express to the Pere Marquette. But, I want to remove the original decals in a "safe" way. I tried a sample spot on the "tm" (trademark) with an eraser and I think it just managed to polish the tender, I can't tell if I've removed anything or not with it.
So what I'm needing are some techniques for removing these decals that will not harm the tender. I don't mind applying sealant and dull coat but I don't want to repaint. Any suggestions out there?
Thanks again Scott, I know I said that the next time you saw this it would be different, but I just had to show it.
Are they actual decals, or "Stamped Lettering"?
If they're decals, you might try putting a "Decal Setting Solution" such as
Walthers "Solvaset" on them and waiting a couple of minutes, and and and wiping off with a rag.
I've removed "Decals" this way for years and never had a problem.
Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!
locomutt wrote: Are they actual decals, or "Stamped Lettering"?
How can you tell the difference? I applied the a test letter from the dry rub decals that I bought to a VHS tape and held it up next to the tender in the photo and they sure looked the same to me.
Can be extremely hard to tell at times, and I know nothing about Lionel and how
they're painted and lettered.
The "decorations" on factory equipment is either decals (labor intensive), pad painted (like a stamp pad but done with paint), heat stamped (technique were the decorations are "branded" onto the object using a metal stamp and a paint foil), and finally photo etched paint masks. You can detect heat stamping by feeling decoration for a slightly raised edge where the stamp made contact with the shell. Water slide decals usually have a slight clear edge that you can see if you look at the decal with a magnifying glass. These can be removed by using decal solutions like Solvaset to soften and remove them. Photo etched and pad painted material can be removed using a product like PolyScale EZ lift off. Please be careful with this stuff. It may remove paint you didn't intend to. Q Tips and cotton balls and a well ventilated place to work are also required.
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